2010 Patriots Big Board

The 2010 Patriots Big Board ranks the NFL Draft prospects that seem to fit the Patriots system, team needs, and have a realistic chance of being available at pick #22 or within reasonable trading distance.

Updated: 4/11/10

1. Rolando McClain, LB, Alabama (Previous: 1)
3-Down backer that has the football IQ that Belichick desires. Great frame and athleticism compliment his amazing instincts. As true as a can’t miss prospect as you will see.

2. Brandon Graham, DE/OLB, Michigan (Previous: 2)
Graham hates to lose and works every down to make sure that his team is in a position to win. Great motor compliments his quick first step and impressive balance. Could play 3-4 OLB or a situational DE in the 4-3.

3. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE/OLB, USF (Previous: 3)
Very raw hybrid prospect that has athleticism to spare. Will continue to improve by honing his technique and expanding his rush-move repertoire.

4. Jared Odrick, DL, Penn State (Previous: 4)
Odrick is a talented one-gap penetrator that could be coached up to play the 5-technique. Very quick first step and good functional strength.

5. Sergio Kindle, OLB, Texas (Previous: Unranked)
Watch his junior tape, when Brian Orakpo was still around, and you wonder why he isn’t a top 10 pick. Watch his senior tape, sans Orakpo, and you wonder how he is a 1st rounder. Loads of talent.

6. Joe Haden, CB, Florida (Previous: 6)
Haden is an incredibly talented corner that will not make it to #22. His physical play, great instincts, solid coverage and ball skills would make it worth it to trade up for him, no matter if he runs a 4.4 or 4.5 forty.

7. Derrick Morgan, DE, Georgia Tech (Previous: 7)
We have concerns about Morgan ever being able to play 3-4 OLB, but his pass-rush skills are hard to ignore. Playing as a situational 4-3 DE or pure 3-4 rush end for a year would allow Morgan time to develop into a three-down 3-4 OLB.

8. Maurkice Pouncey, OL, Florida (Previous: 8)
Pouncey is a blocker that would give the Patriots lots of versatility in the interior line. Pouncey could play either guard spot and center, which is a premium position in a 3-4 division.

9. Jerry Hughes, OLB, TCU (Previous: Unranked)
Conversion prospect whose biggest issue is his lack of ideal size, being a couple of inches shorter (6-1) than the Patriots like. Violent tackler with a good first step in his pass-rush.

10. Carlos Dunlap, DE/OLB, Florida (Previous: 5)
Even with his off-field issues, Dunlap has a rare breed of athleticism, speed, and versatility. Dunlap compares well to Mario Williams and Julius Peppers in every area but motor and motivation. Did not interview well at the NFL Combine. It wouldn’t surprise me to have Dunlap in the top 3 players on the Patriots board, or to be off it completely.

39 Responses to “2010 Patriots Big Board”

I dont understand why so many people want us to get offensive lineman. The Pats have 6 starters, Volmer played too good to keep him on the bench. To me the biggest issue they’ll have with the line this year is where Volmer plays. I think you hold him back if hes not a starting left tackle. Does M.Light play the right side, does Volmer play the right side with Kaczur as a backup? They need a replacement for S.Neal, another gaurd. They signed Neal for this year, and they drafted a couple of decent interior lineman last year. The Pats dont need to take an O-lineman in the first TWO rounds. Bill found all of his starters on the line in later rounds except for Mankins, seems to be Belichicks strength.

How many picks can you have? You can only have so many make your roster. I would love to see them use their picks in both ways, trade up or down. The first half of the 3rd round is going to be like the last half of most 2nd rounds. Those three picks they have bunched together will be moved somewhere. Almost gaurenteed.

So, I stand by my original comments that this is a silly “big board”, this is more of a wish list for the top 1 or 2 picks. A big board is the total list of players available for the draft, that you would evaluate and possilbe catogorize any way you wish…tiers, rounds, positions etc…I’m no expert, but this is common sense. If you were handed an NFL team what would you do with a staff of scouts to prepare for the draft? You would look everywhere…evaluate everyone, then grade them with notes, and devise a plan to get certain players, but prepare for the worse, while training to gain an advantage via trades etc…common sense

I hope everyone read the Globe and/or Pat Kirwin’s article on the Pats draft board. The don’t have such a small big board, they have all the players graded and trimmed down, then they have a plan and a small board or wish list. It would be foolish to thing they did things any other way. They may target and move around, but trades happen fast and you have to be ready, obviously…in your new slot, and not knowing who will still be there when you pick. And, if you think the trade out when they wish your wrong again…what if there is no trade partner, or good deal to be had? Do they just NOT pick, or take a lousy trade? No, they go to their big board and take a player they want, that was previously evaluated, obviously. This isn’t rocket science…that’s why they evaluate…to be prepared, flexible, ready to trade around etc…

First thing. A 3-4 DE and 4-3 DE are VERY different. Ty Warren and Tully Banta Cain are two very different players. Odrick is THE top 3-4 DE in the draft, and i hav a hard time thinkin the pats wouldnt take him at 22 if hes there. Love Dez Bryants’ skills at WR even though he is another future NFL diva wideout, but holmes to the jets means he wouldnt fall past the Steelers who pick in front of the pats.Defense early…offense late

After reading the ESPN article on Denver and the Pats and their draft “short boards” I stand by what i was saying earlier. This big board is nonsense. They will have all the players evaluated…they have to, but that doesn’t mean they won’t trim it down by dropping many players, like down to 100 or so, approx. Then, they will have a plan with a short board, which I called a wish list. You can’t go into a draft with a list of 10 players, or even 25, they could easliy be gone, or a trade could nix your plans, and players fall. You have to be prepared, and they will be.

With Holmes becoming a Jet, I think this might change the overall draft philophsy a little bit. Maybe look at trading up, I know that there is a 99% chance they won’t, but it would put them in the market for a stud Safety, DE, ILB or WR.

The only big, double-team taking DE high on the board is Odrick from penn st. If he isnt there, PASSRUSH!! The best available…..Graham is the best pass rusher in the draft, he made one of the top tackle prospect B.Bulaga look like a 2nd rounder when they faced off. Pierre Paul is kind of a “workout warrior and will probly be picked by tennessee or atlanta in front of us anyway. Kindle will probly be there if the pats want him, and i think both TCU LB’s are too small for Bill. Bill wont trade a couple of picks away this year to get ANYBODY!, even McClain. Best scenario would be Odrick at 22 to step in for Jarvis Green, then R.Sapp or Kindle being available at 44.

one more comment/thought: I love that every year these players, with all the mocks and speculation (Path to the Draft) are locked-in at certain values. Look back to just a few years ago and remember he comments on Quinn & Russell…sure things, superstars. Now, they are very close to being out of a job, one is already traded from a terrible team…not a good sign. There’s so much speculation that we lose sight that this league is a HUGE step up, and different (rules, hash marks, styles etc…). That’s why I want the Pats to go for little speculation with the top 4…less risk. A third of these guys everyone, including me, are calling great won’t be in the league in a few years, or just roll players.

Also, at #22, if the do stay there, I see this a prime spot for a “faller”, which will most likely happen and do several things: draw interest from other teams, trade, or allow us to take a talent they didn’t think would be there for them. This may be the way to get into the 3rd, especially if Atlanta (for example) takes Graham and Kindle is gone (hypathetically)…they can trade back in the 1st and gain a 3rd, or better and still get one of their guys. Bottom line, this is going to be a great day for the Pats! We are the envy of the league with all these picks.

To change the subject, I see them using their number 1 pick next year (not the Oakland pick) as a way to move around while gaining a possible 3rd pick, obviously moving up in the 1st. But, I see that pick being bait, and I see a big move coming…they have so many picks, which means they will have the means to get their guy(s)…be aggressive while gaining better talent.

In response to Admin on my comments on the big board: I highly doubt the staff doesn’t have a grade on every player available, that would beyond stupid and silly. I’m not saying they don’t toss players to the side for a number of reason, but they know them and have info…call it a grade or evaluation, symantics! I’m SURE they have their wish list and plan to get their guys, that’s obvious too. But the way you describe it is way too limiting, and not realistic, especially when a trade appears during the process…they would be lost, and team would.

How is Markice Pouncey not on this list? No way he is available at 44, but I think there is a legitimate chance the Pats take him at 22. Certainly before they grab Roberts or McCourtey.

When asked about trading down last year, Bill said the guy they thought about picking up was Alex Mack from Cal (who they passed over twice). Pouncey is the best center prospect in years, certainly a better prospect than Mack, and Koppen is the weak link on the interior Oline.

I REALLY like Odrick, and the need is higher at DE, but in an entirely 3-4 division, it would be tough to pass over a guy with a legit shot to develop into the best center in the league.

@Jeff-I think TE will be looked at, just not in the 1st round. There are going to be some guys available at #53 and in the 4th round as well. I’d much rather have the Patriots draft Tony Moeaki or Anthony McCoy in the 4th and use their early picks on defense.

“All the players available will have a grade, and they will list in their order.” – Anonymous

That is actually incorrect. The Patriots have a set list of guys that they want to draft (we’ve heard anywhere from 30-60 guys), along with where they should be picked. If there are none of their guys available (or projected to be available), then they trade up or down.

I do think they will have a plan…players to target, and possibly try to go after, but their list will include every player available for this draft. Meaning, for example, Suh may be number one, not Graham. Obviously Suh will be gone, but what if he’s there when KC is picking (if?) and they want to trade out with the Pats? The Pats don’t suddenly scramble to grade Suh…it’s been done and he will be near the top. Someone like Dunlap, or some other slug, may be off the board entirely. Meaning, he’s not a consideration under any scenario…not welcome here so don’t clutter the process.

I don’t understand these concepts of the Pat’s big board. They will go into the draft ready to pick players based on their COMPLETED evaluations and grades. All the players available will have a grade, and they will list in their order. They don’t pick their top 10 players or 20, or 30. They may trade so they need everyone graded and where they end up picking they take their top player with little discussion, but maybe some last minute if there is a close call in grades, and obviously trade offers.

I want them to draft 4 extremely talented and tough football players, with a solid position i.e. no Tebow or other projects with the top 4 picks. I want 4 large, fast, mean, and highly skilled football players. I would guess that’s what they’re shooting for.

Listen everyone: other than QB, the Pats have “needs”. They will put together their board and draft the best player available, but the position will be evaluated, meaning a RB is easier to get later, and interior o-line etc…pass rushers have obvious higher value. I would love to see their “actual” board, not this nonsense.

I have no idea where you get this “big board” from…you have a vivid imagination. Dunlap better be graded as a second round talent, or completely off their board. I like some of these players, but everyone likes most these players.

Those are my top 35 players I’d like the Pats to take, reasonalby in order of preference. Of course, once the Pats take a position of need, step down to the next position of need. I feel they 1st need a top LB, pref OLB, a couple WRs, and another OLB/DE. But, a top RB with their first 4 picks could be a good thing too. I’m not really high on Odrick. I watched film on him and did not see him make any tackles. He got blocked uot a lot. Obviously, highlight bits don’t show everything a player does. Didn’t see him as being someone who will show up right away. Meh.

After doing some more looking at the board and some needs, I have a few thoughts. I think it might be possible for them to lock up and pick OL and C position in the first round. Koppen had the most penalites on the OL as a Center. If Mankins doesn’t sign his tender it may be easier to get a new OL guy and trade him for Kirk Morrison for example. Example of a pick, Pouncey.Other thought taking a WR in the first round, and waiting till the 2nd round to get some Defensive guys, Austin Lane, Sapp, and lately Spikes should be there. Spikes even though his 40 time was 5.0 they say he is very smart and a TEAM player, with three seasons recieveing post season acolades (note most picks last year, had some extraoridinary story – high grades, coming from another country to play, starting all games), my point, Bill likes special guys.

Where is Sean Weatherpoon? How in the world does Jason Pierre-Paul and Carlos Dunlap, who have noted character issues make the list? Also, the Patriots do not draft players with a Wonderlic Score lower than 20. This is a fact.

Without Welker i think they need to grab an electric RB with #22 to take some pressure off the passing game. A C.J Spiller would be fabulous considering he is a return guy as well. I know they need to get younger at LB and could use a pass rush, but i’m confident Belichek can find his defensive guys with the 3 picks in the 2nd round. It is an extremely deep draft with lots of talent but not too many big threat offensive guys. Take a chance on C.J Spiller (if he is there) and he will be the next L.T or Chris Johnson. Guys like Carlos Dunlap or Sergio Kindle could easily fall to them in the second round. With a possibility of getting both there.

Defensive Top 5: Roland McClain should be on top priority follow by Jared Odrick, Brandon Graham, Austin Lane, Corey Wooten.Offensive Top 5: Marty Guilyard, Aaron Hernandez, Brandon Lafell, Jordan Shipley, Brandon Carter is last but this represents a solid guard to replace the right side guard. When you pick 22nd a lot of the studs are gone, however I feel these folks will be there after 21st.